How are we all after bye-mageddon?

By Martin Richardson

Hopefully you managed to come out of the other side of BYE-mageddon with a win and a team that is bye week free from now on.

As we head into week 9 now, there are some really interesting matchups that could provide some tasty Fantasy points scoring opportunities: Indiana Jones goes up against a Steelers defense that look bereft of any kind of ability and talent, so look to the Colts players to push on for and 8-1 season. The 49ers are getting healthy at just the right time and are playing a Giants team whose fanbase is in mourning for their RB Cam Skattebo and his dislocated ankle. Then finally the Rams come off their bye week and impressive showing in London with a matchup against the woe begotten Saints who have moved on from Spencer Rattler and to Tyler Shough. I’m sure that will be fine.

But in amongst all of this, there are still some players who have some intriguing matchups over the coming weeks and have an opportunity to help your Fantasy matchups; let’s take a look.  

KAREEM HUNT

With every injury comes an opportunity and Hunt is about to benefit from the fact that his RB buddy Isaiah Pacheco is out for a few weeks with an MCL sprain in his knee. Hunt has performed well when given the chance to push throw into the red zone for the Chiefs and when you look at his numbers without Pacheco taking carries away, Hunt can certainly be an RB2 in the mix for you when you need someone to cover that Pacheco injury or any others on your Fantasy Roster.

This week he comes up against a Bills team in what will be an AFC showdown that could well be once again a preview of the AFC Championship game. The Bills have shown signs of vulnerability this season and if anyone can exploit that, it would be Mahomes et al when it comes to an offensive scheme. After that there is an annoying bye week in the middle of what could be important for people who have turned to Hunt to help them in their play off push, and after that Hunt faces the Broncos and the Colts in some tough division matchups.

Hunt is one to keep an eye on whilst Pacheco is out and if he is given the chance to impress, he will certainly get you some much needed points.

ROME ODUNZE

After a shaky start for Ben Johnson and the Bears, they look like they’re finding their feet under their new head coach and offensive team.

Odunze had his second biggest game of the season in terms of targets, and he made the most of it against the Ravens with over hundred yards, something he hasn’t done since the Lions in week 2. Going forward, the Bengals, Giants, Vikings and Steelers await the 4-3 Bears, and they are some favourable matchups. Given how the seasons have fallen for the Bengals and Giants, this could be a great set of matchups for Fantasy players and, having someone like done who would complement your main man as a WR2, Rome Odunze could be pivotal in a playoff push for your if you’re in the Fantasy playoff hunt. And having Steelers at the end of that, and that they can’t stop anything right now, this could be a big week for Odunze and the Bears.

Now, he didn’t practice on Wednesday but that could be to do with the fact that fellow WR’s DJ Moore, Luther Burden III and Olamide Zaccheaus not practicing too, so it could be a precaution. So, keep an eye on that for two reasons: if he is limited, just how limited will be he on Sunday? Or if he is the WR that does go on Sunday, will his target rate increase if one of those other WR miss a game or two.

KAYSHON BOUTTE

Hands up if you tried to get Boutte on waivers this week? I did, and failed.

Boutte has been a lethal weapon for Top 10 Fantasy QB Drake Maye this season, averaging over 18 yards per reception, which is money for Fantasy players everywhere. What makes it more impressive is that he has done this with limited targets going his way; he has a high of 8 against the Raiders in week 1, but since then he is getting around 5 targets a game and on a touchdown streak that stretches 4 games. He has 5 touchdowns on the season so far and given how well the Patriots are playing, there is every chance that this could be getting close to double figures by Thanksgiving if they keep marching on.

The cynic in people who don’t want to acknowledge that the Patriots could be back are looking at that touchdown streak and see the Browns, the Titans and the Saints as his opposition, however, going forward Boutte and the Patriots has the Falcons, Bucs, Jets and Bengals to contend with, so Boutte could be on course to do very well with some leaky looking defenses coming up.

ORONDE GADESTON II

I mean, it was only a matter of time before the Chargers TE turned up as one to watch. Since the Dolphins game, Gadeston has exploded onto the Fantasy scene and become a must start option in the TE market for Fantasy players.

Against the Dolphins Gadeston had 67 yards and an average of nearly 10 yards per reception, which immediately caught the attention of Fantasy players and pundits alike. Then he had his breakout game with 164 yards, a touchdown and an average of over 23 yards per reception, which is incredible when you consider that this was against the 7-1 Colts. He consolidated his TE Fantasy value with 77 yards and a touchdown against a very weird Vikings team.

Looking ahead, I would expect him to carry on being a key weapon in the Chargers offensive scheme, with games against the Titans, Steelers and Jags all on the horizon. And given how all of those teams have been playing, if you have Gadeston on your team, you should be very optimistic of a good showing if you’re looking for a playoff push.

 

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

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